AC Recirc/Defrost Button

[scam75]

Afternoon all

My aforementioned button, the defrost (lower) part of the 2 switch unit, is no longer is attached to the rest of the switch. It engages ok and seems locked in when defrost it on, but when you disengage it, the button pops about 5 mm further out that it should, and comes out completely if you pull it. It looks like it has 2 little catches that go onto plastic cylinders, the catches look broken or disintegrated.

The full 2 button switch is 944 635 921 00. £175 second hand best I've found so far. Don't suppose anybody has one lying about or a broken climate control unit it could be removed from?

It still works, thinking possibly some subtle use of blue tack might do the job? Lol, very professional, but it looks like a pain to replace the whole switch which has 10 prongs needing unsoldered then re-soldered, with the AC unit apart obviously.

Edit to add: No chance of any blue tack fix, it seems like little lock tabs on the button are broken that reach into the button casing and keep it in. Blue tack would stop the button falling completely out but not stop it sitting proud.

Much better news is that I discovered that on the later models like mine, the switch is push fit and not soldered in. So a replacement switch should do the job quite easily. Of course if I could get just the actual button with the defrost sign on it, it would just press in I think. More chance of a rocking horse winning the grand national though. So a switch it is, or even a broken switch with the bit I need intact. Don't fancy paying OPC £250 and as it still works and is only mildly annoying, I'll bide my time and see if anything or any of you guys comes across something. £145 cheapest now, 2nd hand from the states.............file that under "non-starter"

Cheers

Stuart

 

[scam75]

Well I've been to Turkey for a week and came back to no replies, as expected on this issue! Will continue to look out for the button I need or a broken HVAC unit. I suspect it may take time........

Stuart

 

[BrianJ]

Could a 3D printer help? Not me unfortunately but I've seen knobs and buttons replicated for pennies using such things. Might be worth a shot.

 

[Eldavo]

If it’s the same size as any other buttons - I have a set of replacement button transfers I got from the States some time ago

 

[scam75]

Thanks chaps.

The 3D printer idea I'm sure would work, but not sure how to go about it. I would assume you would need the actual button to be scanned and reproduced? This would mean disassembling a £250 switch which certainly wouldn't appeal to me if I had a working one!

In terms of the switch itself, unfortunately it is unique in the dash (certainly on my car anyway). It's a "half" switch with illumination on the lower portion on my broken button. The only button that might work is it's twin above, the recirc button. It is also illuminated but inverted (illumination on the higher portion), however having looked at my removed button, the recirc button is likely exact same but inverted, so could be used correctly oriented with the sticker replaced for the correct one.

So it still boils down to finding a broken HVAC unit (needs to be climate/AC version to have this 2 part button, any year as could remove the button even on the older soldered in job), a working 2nd hand switch (only 89 on they are removable), or a broken switch with the button intact.

The search goes on..........

Stuart

 

[scam75]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195292794369?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160811114145%26meid%3D1caebb481745426dbefc9e42d109fc98%26pid%3D100667%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D3%26sd%3D391610020151%26itm%3D195292794369%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2351460&_trksid=p2351460.c100667.m2042

This is the button.

 

[scam75]

So I managed to get a switch from the ever helpful 9 apart, first call I made round the breakers and they came up trumps. I have to say a great service, pinging back whatsapp pictures and videos and letting me pick the best condition button. Was surprised they had 2 sat on the shelf, albeit minus most of the decals, beggars can't be choosers! They were embarassed to charge me £45 posted, however seeing that they go for £100+ used, and are £250 new, it seemed reasonable.

I will need the transfers you have kindly offered Eldavo, well 2 of them anyway! Are they black stickers with white markings or simply the white markings?

Cheers

Stuart

 

[Eldavo]

I don‘t remember offering them, just stating that I have them []

(I’ll dig them out and WhatsApp you pics*)

*look what you could‘ve won

 

[scam75]

As long as I hit the bullseye with them..........

 

[944Turbo]

I don‘t remember offering them, just stating that I have them []

(I’ll dig them out and WhatsApp you pics*)

*look what you could‘ve won

If you can scan the decals then I am sure they could be reproduced - which made me think so I have emailed Rick https://www.highgatehouse.co.uk/ to see if it something he can create, he might only need a photo of a good switch. However most of his work is much bigger scale though with pretty intricate detail, will let you know if I hear back
Tony

 

[scam75]

I don‘t remember offering them, just stating that I have them []

(I’ll dig them out and WhatsApp you pics*)

*look what you could‘ve won

If you can scan the decals then I am sure they could be reproduced - which made me think so I have emailed Rick https://www.highgatehouse.co.uk/ to see if it something he can create, he might only need a photo of a good switch. However most of his work is much bigger scale though with pretty intricate detail, will let you know if I hear back
Tony

Thanks Tony!

 

[scam75]

Update on this guys. The new switch I had, with the very very worn decals worked fine. I actually printed off the symbols to the right size, trimmed them, and carefully sellotaped them on to the buttons. Looked quite good but the sellotape really glinted in any light which wasn't great. Also, at night, the illumination had become incredibly faint. Can't have that can we?

So was gonna try and remove the stickers off my old button, sand the new button flat of black paint, and try and carefully re-attach the original stickers. However, I decided to take apart the old button first, to see if I could maybe transplant the good button at least. It became quite apparent once I popped it apart, that I could simply re-attach the broken button with some super glue. Then after a bit of Heath Robinson (which is always fun) I was able to cut a little section of a tie wrap to glue in the side to act as the button stop, so the button didn't pop out 3 or 4mm when disengaged. With minimum fuss, and at first attempt, it was a glorious success! Now fitted back into the dash and I have a perfectly good spare button albeit having a decal crisis!





And that AFR reading is from cold start before anybody tells me I'm running rich!

Stuart